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President Joe Biden demanded Wednesday that Syria launch journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared 10 years in the past as he lined the nation’s bitter civil warfare.
Nobody has ever claimed duty for his abduction and the Syrian authorities has not admitted holding the 40-year-old.
On the tenth anniversary of his disappearance and the day earlier than his birthday, Biden stated he knew the federal government of Bashar al-Assad had been holding Tice.
‘He’s a son, he’s a brother, and he’s an investigative journalist who put the reality above himself and traveled to Syria to point out the world the actual value of warfare,’ stated the president.
‘We all know with certainty that he has been held by the Syrian regime.
‘We now have repeatedly requested the federal government of Syria to work with us in order that we will deliver Austin residence.
‘On the tenth anniversary of his abduction, I’m calling on Syria to finish this and assist us deliver him residence.’
President Joe Biden accused Syria of holding lacking journalist Austin Tice. He was final seen 10 years in the past after being snatched whereas overlaying the nation’s civil warfare
Tice labored for CBS Information, The Washington Submit and McClatchy amongst others
Austin Tice’s mom Debra stated she had by no means wavered in her dedication to deliver her son residence. She and her husband met Biden in Might
Tice, a contract journalist for a number of information organizations together with CBS Information, The Washington Submit and McClatchy, went lacking at a checkpoint in a contested space west of the capital Damascus.
A video launched by supporters of Assad later confirmed him blindfolded and distressed, surrounded by captors.
He might be heard saying: ‘Oh, Jesus.’
Nothing extra has been seen of him since.
Nevertheless, officers have repeatedly advised that they consider he’s nonetheless alive.
4 years in the past, U.S. envoy to Syria James Jeffrey stated he believed Tice as being held hostage, however provided no additional data.
Two years in the past, Trump administration officers traveled to Syria to safe his launch however returned empty handed. Officers in Damascus reportedly stated there may no negotiations about any prisoners as long as U.S. troops had been within the nation.
And in Might a Lebanese safety officers met with Biden administration officers in Washington as a part of an effort to free Tice.
All through the ups and downs, the lacking journalist’s mother and father have stored up a marketing campaign to deliver him residence.
‘I’ve by no means wavered. I am not wavering now,’ his mom Debra informed CBS Information in an interview earlier this week.
‘There is not any motive to not consider that he is ready and hoping and dreaming and planning to stroll free.’
Tice is from Houston, Texas, and traveled to Syria to report on the brutal battle that erupted in 2011 through the Arab Spring
Tice is from Houston, Texas, and traveled to Syria to report on the brutal battle that erupted in 2011 through the Arab Spring.
In Might, Biden met with Tice’s mother and father and promised that he would use each software obtainable to safe ‘Austin’s lengthy overdue return to his household.’
On Wednesday, the president reiterated his promise.
‘The Tice household deserves solutions, and extra importantly, they need to be swiftly reunited with Austin,’ he stated.
‘We stand with Austin’s many family members, and we won’t relaxation till we deliver Austin residence.
‘Ten years is much, far too lengthy. So is each further day.’
Secretary of State Antony Blinken demanded that Damascus admit its function.
We proceed to demand that Syrian officers fulfill their obligations underneath the Vienna Conference on Consular Relations to acknowledge the detention of Austin and each different U.S. nationwide held in Syria, a duty underneath worldwide legislation and an vital step in securing their launch,’ he stated.
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